Robert Chow sees hopes in 2017 General Election

出自香港新聞網 - 樹仁新傳系學生實習習作

Sep. 24A convenor of the anti-Occupy Central group Silent Majority expressed optimism about Beijing permitting general election in 2017 Chief Executive Election without the need for what he called a radical movement.

Robert Chow, one of the six convenors of Silent Majority, said that the basic law dictated a general election be practiced as soon as 2017, added that Beijing would open green light to general election in 2017 to establish good international image.

‘I believe Beijing is happy to keep the promise.’ Chow said in a talk at Shue Yan University yesterday.

Commenting on the possibility for pan-democrats to run for the 2017 Chief Executive election, Chow believed that the success of nomination for pan-democrats Alan-Leung and Ho Chun-Yan in previous elections hinted chance of entry. However, Chow said Beijing might not endorse a pan-democrat Chief Executive due to their close relationship with foreign powers.

‘We must accept this reality: Beijing holds the ultimate power to veto,’ he said.

Chow said that the only feasible method to change the election rules is to mobilize a political reform in LegCo, which requires votes from at least two-thirds of all lawmakers. Chow said it is difficult for pan-democrats to gain support from pro-establishment camp.

‘Instead of arguing over the ‘real definition’ of general election, why don’t they [pro-democrats] just sit down and talk about who to stand for the election?’ he said.

Echoing the group’s stance, Chow denounced the Occupy Central movement next August. He worried that the rally would paralyze Hong Kong’s traffic and cause disturbance to citizen’s daily routine, hence bringing unending chaos to the city.

‘Even when the first-wave of Occupy Central is held peacefully, what if thousands more of supporters came out after seeing previous petitioners being arrested? Or would the second-wave movement be launched if few Hong Kong people responded to it?’ he questioned.

In response to Chan Kin-man, convenor of Occupy Central describing the movement “an act of civil disobedience”, Chow compares the movement to committing suicide by turning on the gas, saying that the movement might pose threat on the city’s safety.

‘It is my job to urge people to escape and to call police. We must protect others from danger,’ he said.

When asked about the group’s stance about general election, Chow emphasized on the group’s eagerness to fight for one-person-one-vote election.